Steam-air garment finisher



Sept. 3, 1957 N. c. JACKSON 2,805,009

STEAM-AIR GARMENT FINISHER Filed Dec. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l IINVENTOR. w, 1, A/o/a/r 6. Jackson Sept. 3, 1957 N. c. JACKSON STEAM-AIRGARMENT FINISHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17,. 1954 I III!!-INVENTOR. 6. Jackson ATTORNEK P 1957 N. c. JACKSON 2,805,009

STEAM-AIR GARMENT FINISHER Filed Dec. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. A o/a/r Q dad/65o 197' TORNEK Sept. 3, 1957 N. c. JACKSONSTEAM-AIR GARMENT FINISHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 17, 1954INVENIOR. Ao/an 6. Jackson TURN United States Patent STEAM-AIR GNT FINISI-HZR Nolan C. Jackson, Wichita, Kans., assignor to Wichita PrecisionTool Company, Inc., Wichita, Kane, a corporation of Kansas ApplicationDecember 17, 1954, Serial No. 476,000

17 Claims. (Cl. 223-67) This invention relates to garment finishingmachines and has for its principal object the provision of improvementsin the invention disclosed by my copending application, Serial No.410,296, filed February 15, 1954, now Patent #2,736,4'7l, dated February28, 1956, for Revolving Type Garment Finisher Having Adjustable ShoulderStructure, this being a continuation-in-part of said application.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide agarment finisher with improved steamcontrol structure operable toseparate and prevent formation of condensate in such manner as to treatthe garments with steam having a relatively high temperature and whichis relatively dry.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide steam-controlstructure that maintains a given pressure within a condensate collectionand separation chamber even while the steam is being exhausted to thegarment so that such condensate cannot pass to the garment as inconventional garment finishers.

It is an aim of this invention to include still further in saidsteam-control structure, a heat exchange relationship such as to preventcondensate formation-in the steam as it is released to the garment.

A still further aim in the provision of said steam-control structure isto couple a heating coil in the steam system in a novel manner toprovide means to heat air that is forced through the garment.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a unique water legor sump for collection of condensate after flow thereof through saidcoil to maintain prime in a water trap that is included in the system.

An additional and very important object of this invention is theprovision of means for controlling flow of air across the said heatingcoil and into a permeable bag over which a garment to be finished isdraped.

Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide an automaticcycle of operation permitting steaming of the garment for apredetermined period of time, followed by continued drying by hot air,all without operator attention. 7

Other aims and objects include the provision of improved, adjustableshoulder structure, refinements in a rotatable bag assembly for mountingthe garment, and a novel manifold unit for directing the steam to thegarment, which unit also supports the said rotatable-assembly.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a steam-air garment finishermade pursuant to one form of the present .invention, showing the samewith the garmentreceiving bag entirely removed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on line II+II of Fig. 1illustrating the said bag by dash lines.

-;Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, crosssectional viewshowing the upper portion of the finisher.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line IVeIV of Fig.l and illustrating schematically drawstring take-up means for the bag.

I new Patented Sept. 3, 19 57 Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken online VV of Fig. 4. v 1

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on lineVI-VI of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line VIIIVIII ofFig. 2. v

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view partially schematic, illustrating the switchcontrol for the electrical components of the machine. a

Fig. 10 is a plan view with the rotatable assembly entirely removed,showing a modified form of the instant invention.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in' Fig. 10,parts being broken away and in sectionto reveal details of construction;and

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical com-. ponents of themodification of Figs. 10 and 1 1. 7 I i In the form of my inventionillustrated by Figs. l-9, base 10 is hollow as seen in Fig. 2, and ablower 12, operated by an electric motor 14, communicates therewith atthe rear of the base 10 for directing air from intake 16 across aheating coil 18, thence across a steam receiver 20 and ultimatelythrough a garment (not shown) to be finished when draped over apermeable bag 22.

communicates with the receiver 20 and has a plug 30 closing the upperend thereof and operating also to rotatably support a tubular upright 32having a neckpiece 34 on its uppermost end. A tubular stem 36 forming apart of the neckpiece 34 receives the upper end of upright 32 as shownin Fig. 3, bag 22 having an opening in its upper end for receiving theneckpiece 34.

An annulus 38, rotatable within the opening 26 is surrounded by aresilient gasket 40, and when the lowermost open end of the bag 22 isplaced around the annulus 38, it is preferably attached to the annulus38 through use of a drawstring of other fastening means, not shown.

Annulus 38 is connected with the neckpiece 34 by means of a backingmember 42 for a clamping plate 44 that is likewise mounted on theannulus 38 for rotationtherewith. Plate 44 is swingable on a leaf spring46, the latter of which is in turn secured to a lever 48 swingabletoward and away from the backing member 42 and releasably held in placethrough mechanism not fully shown but including a latch 50.

A similar clamping assembly broadly designated-bythef numeral 52, ismounted on the annulus 38 for 'cooperation'- with a backing plate 54that'joins with the annulus 38. Cross means 56 interconnecting thebacking members 42 and 54 may join with the V M with.

Shoulder supporting means likewise mounted onlthe upright 32 forrotation therewith, includesa pair of shoulder elements 58 and 60secured rigidly to the upper- A lever 74, reciprocable within thetubular upright 32,

pivotally interconnects the lever 70 and a follower 76.

Links 78 for the arms 62 and 64 pivotally connect the latter with a pin80 extending from the follower 76 through a slot 82 in the'upright 32.

vii-vii upright 32 for rotation there-' Steam emanating from a suitablesource, not shown, flows through'asupply pipe 84into" an outer chamber'or vessel 86 of the receiver Zii'fand thence through the coil 18 by wayof conduit 83, extending into chamber 86 as at 89. Coil 18"c'onnectswith a waterleg Qtlas shown in Fig. 8 and from theleg 91% thesteam passes through a return line92'. Leg 90 is formed to provide acircuitous path for the steam and is ada'p'te'd to' collect condensatedraining from chamber 86 and the coil 18 within a sump portion 94forming a part of leg 90.

Upon opening of a solenoid'valve 96 within a conduit 98 and preferablydisposed exteriorly of the bag '22 and thebase 10,steam flows from'theouter chamber 86 of the receiver 20am an inner chamber or vessel 1% andthence into the manifold 28 that connects with the inner chamber'ltlh asshown iri'Fig. 6.

' Steam emanating from the perforations of the manifold 28 must passthrough a permeable bag 1G2, enclosing a spring 104 coiled about, andspaced from, the manifold 28. i i

Electric motor 14 and solenoid 96 are controlled by a foot pedal 106 orithe outermost end of a shaft 1tr8'that extends through the base It); Ablock 110 on the inner end of shaft 108 closes switch 112 to motor 14when the pedal 106 is turned in one direction and closes switch 114 tosolenoid 96 when the pedal 156 is swung in the opposite direction;

When fluid is directed into the bag 22 under pressure, the latter wouldnormally balloon fully except for control means shown in Fig. 4. Atselected points on the bag 22, such as at 116 and 118, there is provideda drawstring 120 looped around a pulley 122 and secured to a suitablerigid connection 124. The connection 124 should constitute a rotary partof the machine such as the upright 32, the backing members 42 and 4 orthe cross means 56.

Drawstring 120- is manipulated by pulling outwardly on a knob 126 to'inturn pull on a flexible cable 128 connected to the pulley 122. Apoiygonal rod 138 reciprocab le within tube 132 is interposed betweencable 123 and knob 126, and is releasably held against inward movementby tightening a cap 134 on the tube 132 against a split wedge 136 thatis thus forced into the upper end of tube 132 and against the rod 13 Aplurality of such assemblies, i. e., one for each drawstring 120respectively, is provided on the annulus 38 for rotation thereuu'th.

While the operation of the garment finisher of Figs. l9 has hereinabovebeen made clear as the component parts thereof have been described, theoperation may be summar z d as f ows:

When a garment is placed on the bag 22 it may be clamped in placethrough use of the clamping means that includes plate 44, together withthe clamp 52, and if such garment is in the nature of a coat or shiftnormally open atthe front, the holding effect of the relatively longplate 44 assures passage of the steam or air through the entire bag 22.The nature of the garment will, of course,'dictate the positions of theknobs 126 and when the latter are pulled outwardly and locked throughuse of cap 134 various points as at 116 and 118 along the bag 22 will berestricted in diameter and not be permitted to balloon outwardly whensteam or air are admitted under pressure into the bag 22. i

The unit may be rotated on the vertical axes of the upright 32 and themanifold 28,'while the garment is draped over the bag 22, and theposition of the shoulder pieces 58 and 60 is likewise determined by the,nature of the garment; they maybe moved toward or away from the stem 36merely by manipulating the lever 70 that extends through the slot 72 ofneckpiece 34.

When it is desired to direct air under pressure into the bag 22 forpassage through the garment, the operator need merely manipulate thepedal 106 in one direction to actuate the motor 14. When the pedal 106is turned in the opposite direction, steam will'be'permitted to flow V 4through the conduit 98, past solenoid valve 96 and into the innerchamber 109.

It is of extreme importance to note that the capacity of pipe 84 thatsupplies steam to the outer chamber 86 is appreciably greater than thecapacity of the conduit 98 that supplies steam to the inner chamber 100from chamber 86 when solenoid valve 96 is open. Consequently, even whensteam is being exhausted into the bag 22 from the manifold 28, there isa maintained steam pressure within the outer chamber 86 which actstoseparate the condensate before it enters the chamber 100. Such steam isnot permitted to condense within the chamber 100 since the latter is inheat-exchange relationship to the steam Within the outer chamber 86.Therefore, all steam that passes upwardly through the manifold 28, forflow outwardly through bags 102 and 22 and ultimately through thegarment, has a relatively high temperature and is relatively dry at thetime it is released from manifold 28.

Steam emanating from line 84 flows through the coil 18 from the outerchamber 86, and all condensate (which is separated within the chamber 86from tl e steam that flows to the garment) flows to the water leg 99 viaconduit 88 where it'collects in the sump 94. Such water seal in the leg96 prevents trap 13% within the return line 92 from losing prime.

The modification of my invention as shown in Figs. 10 to12 inclusive, isessentially the same as the embodiment above described and illustratedin Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive. However, steam receiver 285) is mounted inbase 210 upon a partition 212 that separates the lower portion of base210 from the upper portion thereof when gate o sljltlttch means 214 isclosed.

The shutter 214'is' opened to the position seen in Fig. 11 by a solenoid216 attached to the partition 212 therebelow, which solenoid 216 is alsoseen in Fig. 12. When closed, as by a spring 2. .8 on the solenoid 216,the shutter means 214 blocks the flow of air to the garment mounted aspreviously described above the base 210. Such flow of air is produced bya fan in housing 220 that is in turn operated by a motor 222 seen inFigs. l0, l1 and 12. When the shutter mechanism 214 is open, the airflows across coil 224 in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 11 and inthe same manner as hereinabove set forth. Solenoid valve 226 forcontrolling flow of steam, comparable to valve 96, is seen in Fig. 10,and its solenoid is designated by the numeral 228 in Fig. 12.

Shutter mechanism 214 may take any suitable form, but as illustrated, itincludes hingedly mounted gates or doors 230 within, and forming a partof, the partition 212 and pivotally coupled with one leg of an L-shapedcrank 232 by short links 234. The other leg of crank 232 is pivotallyconnected with reciprocable core 236 of the'solenoid 216 and upon whichthe spring 218 is mounted. Crank 232 is swingable on pivot pin 238suitably mounted within the base 212 above the partition 212.

A timing unit broadly designated by the numeral 240, is shown in Figs.11 and 12. A foot pedal 242 (see Fig. 10) controls switches 244 and 246in much the same manner as switches 112 and 114 are controlled as seenin Fig. 9, it being understood that switches 244 and 246 are gangedtogether for simultaneous movement so that when the pedal 242 ishorizontally disposed, switches 244 and 246 are both open, whereas, whenpedal 242 is turned in one direction, switch 244 closes, and when thepedal 242 is turned in the opposite direction, the switch 246 closes.

When the machine is to be placed in operation, the circuit shown in Fig.12 is coupled with supply lines 248 and 250 by closing manual switch 252which also energizes motor 222 for continuous operation whether or notthe shutter mechanism 214 is open. When switch 244 is closed, solenoid216 is energized to open the shutter mechanism 214 against the action ofspring 218, through a simple circuit that may be traced as follows:

From line 248, through wire 254, closed switch 244, wire 256, solenoid216, wire 258 and closed switch 252 to line 250.

When, however, the pedal 242 is tipped in the opposite direction to openthe switch 244 and close the switch 246, the solenoid 216 is deenergizedand the spring 218 closes the shutter mechanism 214.

Closing of switch 246 energizes solenoid 259 of timing unit 240 throughthe following circuit:

From line 248, through wire 254, closed switch 246, wire 260, solenoid259, timer 261, wire 262, and closed switch 252 to line 250.

As solenoid 259 closes switch 266, the solenoid 228 is energized, toopen valve 226 and discharge steam to the garment, through the followingcircuit:

From line 248, through wire 254, closed switch 246, wires 260 and 264,closed switch 266, wire 268, solenoid 228, wires 270, 262 and 258, andclosed switch 252, to line 250.

Timer 261, which may be of any suitable, conventional character, willdeenergize the solenoid 259 to discontinue the flow of steam to thegarment after a predetermined period of time through opening of switch266, whereupon switch 274 closes to energize solenoid 216, therebyopening the shutter mechanism 214 and permitting flow of air to thegarment, all through the following circuit:

From line 248, through wire 254, closed switch 246, wires 260, 264 and272, closed switch 274, wires 276 and 256, solenoid 216, wire 258, andclosed switch 252, to line 250.

As long as the switch 246 remains closed, the closed switch 274 willthereafter maintain the solenoid 216 energized and thereby maintain theshutter mechanism 214 open as shown in Fig. 11. The air flowing from thehousing 220 and across the coil 224 will continue to pass through thegarment until such time as the operator again turns the foot pedal 242to the horizontal neutral position where both switches 244 and 246 areopen as seen in Fig. 12. The motor 222 will continue operatingregardless of the position of the pedal 242 until such time as theswitch 252 is opened.

In summary, when a machine of the type shown in Figs. to 12 inclusive,is placed in operation, steam is initially admitted to the receiver 20for flow through the coil 224 in order to heat the latter, whereupon agarment to be finished is placed upon the permeable bag shown in Fig. 2,but intended to be included also as a part of the last-describedembodiment of the invention. Thereupon, pedal 242 is actuated in amanner to close the switch 244, thereby energizing solenoid 216 andopening the shutter mechanism 214. Air passing into the bag inflates orballoons the latter and the operator may fit the bag to the garment bymanipulating one or more of the manual knobs 126 as hereinabovedescribed.

After the garment is thus fitted to the bag, switch 244 is opened toclose the shutter mechanism 214 and thereby block the flow of air to thebag. Switch 246 is closed to initiate the automatic cycle of operationwhich, as above-described, constitutes steaming of the garment for apredetermined period of time while solenoid 28 is energized andthereupon drying of the garment with hot air while solenoid 216 isenergized and until the pedal 242 is returned to a neutral position.

All other parts of the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 10to 12 inclusive, and the operation thereof, may be the same as aboveoutlined in describing the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive and,therefore, need not be repeated.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a garment finisher, steam-control structure including a steamreceiver having a first and a second closed vessel, the first closedvessel being provided-with'asteam inlet and a steam outlet, thesecondvessel having an outlet for directing steam to a garment to be finished;and means for controlling flow of steam from the first vessel to thesecond vessel, said second vessel being disposed in heat exchangerelationship to the first vessel whereby the second vessel is heated bysteam in the first vessel to prevent condensation of steam in the secondvessel.

'2. In a garment finisher, steam-control structure including a steamreceiver having a first and a second closed vessel, the first closedvessel being provided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, the secondvessel having an outlet for directing steam to a garment to be finished;conduit means interconnecting said vessels; and valve means in saidconduit means for controlling flow of steam from the first vessel to thesecond vessel, said second vessel being disposed in heat exchangerelationship to the first vessel whereby the second vessel'is heated bysteam in the first vessel to prevent condensation of steam in the secondvessel.

3. In a garment finisher as defined by claim 2 wherein the capacity ofsaid inlet for the first vessel is greater than the capacity of saidconduit means whereby a predetermined steam pressure is maintained inthe first vessel during flow of steam from the second vessel.

4. In a garment finisher, steam-control structure including a steamreceiver having a first and a second closed vessel, the first closedvessel being provided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet; aperforated manifold communicating with the second vessel for directingsteam to a garment to be finished; and means for controlling flow ofsteam from the first vessel to the second vessel, said second vesselbeing disposed in heat exchange relationship to the first vessel wherebythe second vessel is heated by steam in the first vessel to preventcondensation of steam in the second vessel. I

5. In a garment finisher as defined by claim 4 wherein said manifold hasa permeable bag surrounding the same.

6. In a garment finisher as defined by claim 5 wherein is providedsupport means on the manifold within the bag for maintaining the latterspaced from the manifold.

7. In a garment finisher, the combination of a steam coil for heatingair to be directed to a garment being finished, said coil having aninlet and an outlet; and steam-control structure including a steamreceiver having a first and a second closed vessel, the first vesselbeing provided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, the second vesselhaving an outlet for directing steam to a garment to be finished, meanscoupling said inlet of the coil with said outlet of the first vessel,and means for controlling flow of steam from the first vessel to thesecond vessel.

8. In a garment finisher, the combination of a steam coil for heatingair to be directed to a garment being finished, said coil having aninlet and an outlet; steamcontrol structure including a steam receiverhaving a first and a second closed vessel, the first vessel beingprovided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, the second vessel havingan outlet for directing steam to a garment to be finished, meanscoupling said inlet of the coil with said outlet of the first vessel,and means for controlling flow of steam from the first vessel to thesecond vessel; and water sealing means including a condensate receivercommunicating with said outlet of the-coil.

9. In a garment finisher, steam-control structure including a steamreceiver having an inner and an outer closed vessel; a supply pipeconnected with the outer vessel for directing steam thereinto; a conduitinterconnecting the vessels; valve means in the conduit for controllingfiow of steam from the outer to the inner vessel; manifold meanscommunicating with the inner vessel for directing steam to a garment tobe finished; and condpit neans communicating with the outer vessel anddisposed to draincondensate therefrom.

' ;1 Q.}I n argument-finisher as definedb'y claim 9 Wherein i s providedwater sealing mpans for said structurein: cluding a condensate receiver,and wherein is provided a ,steamcoil, interposed betweensaid conduitmeans and said condensate receiyer for heating air to be directed tosaid armen 11. In a garment finisher, a steam receiver having a pairofinterconnected chambers; a perforated manifold eomrnunicating with oneof the chambers for directing steam to a garment tobe finished; a springcarried by the manifold, said spring being coiled about the manifold andspaced therefrom; a bag enclosing the spring;

acoil connected with the other chamber for heatingair to be directed tosaid garment; and means for directing steam into said other, chamber forflow to the manifold and he 12. In a garment finisher, a steam receiverhaving an inner and an outer chamber; a conduit joining the chambers; aperforated manifold communicating with the inner chamber for directinsteam to a garment to be finished; a coil connected with the outerchamber for heating air to be directed to said garment; means fordirecting steam into said outer chamber for flow to the manifold and thecoil; and means in the conduit for controlling flow of steamtherethrough.

13. in a garment finisher having a hollow, open top base provided withmeans for supporting an open bottom, garment-receiving, permeable bag incommunication with said top of the base, the combination of a steam coilin the base; means for creating artificial currents of air and directingthe same into the base and across the coil for flow into the bag; andsteam-control structure including a stea m receiver coupled with saidcoil to supply steam thereto, said receiver being within the path oftravel of said air. i

14. In a garment finisher having a hollow, open top base provided withmeans for supporting an open bottom, garment-receiving, permeable bag incommunication with said top of, the base, the combination of aperforated partition in the base; a steam coil in the base below thepartition; means for creating artificial currents of air and directingthe same into the base and across the coil for flow into the base belowthe partition; shutter mechanism in the perforation of said partition;and power means coupled with said mechanism for opening the same topermit said air to flow into the bag.

' 1 5. In a garment finisher having a hollow, open top base providedwith means for supporting an open bottom, garment-receiving, permeablebag in communication with said top'of the base, the combination of aperforated partition in the base; a steam coil in the base below thepartition; means forcreatingartificial currents of air and directing thesame into the base and across the coil for flow into the base below thepartition; shutter mechanism in the perforation of said partition; powermeans coupled with said mechanism for opening the same to permit saidair to llow into the bag; and steam-control structure including a steamreceiver mounted on said partition and coupled with said coil to supplysteam thereto.

16. In a garment finisher having a hollow, open to base providedwith'means for supporting an open bottom, garment-receiving, permeablebag in communication with said top of the base, the combination of aperforated partition in the base; a steam coil in the base below thepartition; means for creating artificial currents of air and directingthe same into the base and across the coil for flow into the base belowthe partition; shutter mechanism in the perforation of said partition;power means coupled with said mechanism for opening the same to permitsaid air to flow into the bag; steam-control structure including a steamreceiver mounted on said partition and coupled with said coil to supplysteam thereto; a steam manifold in the bag and coupled with saidreceiver for directing steam into the bag; and valve means forcontrolling how of steam to the manifold.

17. In a garment finisher having a hollow, open top base provided withmeans for supporting an open bottom, garment-receiving, permeable bag incommunication with said top of the base, the combination of a perforatedpartition in the base; a steam coil in the base below the partition;means for creating artificial currents of air and directing the sameinto the base and across the coil for flow into the base below thepartition; shutter mechanism in the perforation of said partition; powermeans coupled with said mechanism for opening the same to permit saidair to flow into the bag; steam-control structure including a steamreceiver mounted on said partition and coupled with said coil to supplysteam thereto; a steam manifold in the bag and coupled with saidreceiver for directing steam into the bag; valve means for controllingflow of steam to the manifold; and a timer assembly coupled with saidpower means and with said valve means for regulating flow of steam andair to the bag in timed sequence.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,421,203 Johnson May 27, 1947 2,425,194 Lendle Aug. 5, 1947 2,443,557Fitpold June 15, 1948 2,533,761 Brenner et a1 Dec. 12, 1950 2,543,413Koth Feb. 27, 1951 2,587,745 Maurer Mar. 4, 1952

